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So, I'm watching BBCA (Dr. Who) and there was this commercial for California Psychics. Have these buggers been around for any amount of time? According to them, they've been scamming people since 1995. Is this another Miss Cleo type scam?

I love this on the "About Us" page:

Only 2 out of 100 psychics who apply to California Psychics® meet our strict criteria with regard to accurate predictions, compassion and a professional demeanor.

Only 2 out of 100 psychics who apply to California Psychics® meet our strict criteria with regard to accurate predictions, compassion and a professional demeanor.

I just heard another of their radio commercials, and it mentioned that they have 175 psychics on staff. if they indeed only hired 2 out of 100 applicants, this would mean that nearly 9,000 "psychics" applied for work there. I find myself somewhat... skeptical of this.

I just heard another of their radio commercials, and it mentioned that they have 175 psychics on staff. if they indeed only hired 2 out of 100 applicants, this would mean that nearly 9,000 "psychics" applied for work there. I find myself somewhat... skeptical of this.

Also seems that Browne and Edward need not apply. Actually, it'd be cool if they did to see if they are actually 2 out of 100 (which would be much better than their predictive rate).

I just heard another of their radio commercials, and it mentioned that they have 175 psychics on staff. if they indeed only hired 2 out of 100 applicants, this would mean that nearly 9,000 "psychics" applied for work there. I find myself somewhat... skeptical of this.

Did they actually say they didn't hire any of the 98 who didn't meet their standards?

I love how they advertise on the radio, "some people talk to a therapist, some people talk to a bartender, and some people talk to a psychic advisor."

__________________Circled nothing is still nothing.
"Nothing will stop the U.S. from being a world leader, not even a handful of adults who want their kids to take science lessons from a book that mentions unicorns six times." -UNLoVedRebel
Mumpsimus: a stubborn person who insists on making an error in spite of being shown that it is wrong

Only 2 out of 100 psychics who apply to California Psychics® meet our strict criteria with regard to accurate predictions, compassion and a professional demeanor.

I love this. It's pure advertising trickery. Why not just say 1 out of 50? It is the same rate...but 100 is larger than 50, so it sounds like they are more exacting when they say they pick 2 out of 100 than if they said 1 out of 50.

I think this may point to how they've avoided court. This is misleading advertising, yet it is perfectly legal. I would not be surprised if they are just as careful to remain within legal boundaries in regards to their actual services, even if they skirt the ethical ones.

Are these the folks that advertise that their psychics "work out of the home" because they're more accurate when in their own comfortable setting? I keep thinking, Yeah, or maybe it's because then you don't have to pay for office space...or have anyplace where anyone can actually find you. It's like ALF or ELF - just this loose network of people with no real connnection to each other who are going to be really difficult to track down when things deteriorate...

Are these the folks that advertise that their psychics "work out of the home" because they're more accurate when in their own comfortable setting? I keep thinking, Yeah, or maybe it's because then you don't have to pay for office space...or have anyplace where anyone can actually find you. It's like ALF or ELF - just this loose network of people with no real connnection to each other who are going to be really difficult to track down when things deteriorate...

Well there's one thing I can guarantee will not be transmitted psychically.

So, I'm watching BBCA (Dr. Who) and there was this commercial for California Psychics. Have these buggers been around for any amount of time? According to them, they've been scamming people since 1995. Is this another Miss Cleo type scam?

I just heard another of their radio commercials, and it mentioned that they have 175 psychics on staff. if they indeed only hired 2 out of 100 applicants, this would mean that nearly 9,000 "psychics" applied for work there. I find myself somewhat... skeptical of this.

Our psychics work full or part time conveniently from home as independent contractors, set their own schedules, and get paid weekly. Our top psychics can make more than $1500 per week. In addition, as a new psychic with us, you have the potential to earn a $500 bonus!
...
Qualified candidates will be naturally gifted, have experience using their gift in this field, and must be capable of delivering accurate and insightful readings to our customers over the phone. If this sounds like you, then please click below
...
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us
via phone or email:
Phone: (877) 324 – 2470
Email: hiringpsychics@californiapsychics.com

Karen Stollznow wrote a fantastic article on one of these psychic companies that claim they only hire psychics that pass their tests. Karen, who possesses no psychic abilities, not only passed all three tests, but she was also offered a job. These companies are nothing more than more psychic scams.

__________________"Some drink deeply from the river of knowledge. Others only gargle."

Wouldn't it be nice to know ahead of time what's going to happen next year? Or are you too skeptical to believe in psychics?

California Psychics, an organization that lets callers speak to "the most qualified and gifted clairvoyants around the country," recently released its predictions about Tinsel Town's finest for the upcoming year.

First up, the Jolie-Pitt relationship. Several psychics on the site anticipate an expensive breakup for Angelina and Brad, citing July as a key month: "There will be rumors that Brad Pitt is sneaking around with another woman - a blonde." Custody battles will be drawn out and result in financial troubles for Pitt.

Pitt's ex, Jennifer Aniston, seemingly will have a better year than he will. It's not clear whether she is adopting, or having her own child, but "Jennifer Aniston will become a mother."

While Aniston is busy being a mother, Britney Spears will become a bride once again: "This new mate is more harmonious, but not a soul mate. But this new union will teach her patience and self-worth, if she treats it with care and commitment."

There are a few other celebs with much to look forward to. "Orlando Bloom, Kiefer Sutherland and Kate Winslet are the actors to watch in 2010. Their projects will boost their already-large talents to another level."

Larry King apparently will be making headlines in the new year: "He will be the first person to interview an extraterrestrial visitor on his talk show."
...
"American Idol" seems to be another topic of interest to psychics: "Simon Cowell and new judge Ellen Degeneres will not get along, and the next winner will be an African-American woman." And, apparently, the Adam Lambert controversy has just begun.
...
To read more predictions about news, money, people and the world in 2010, visit www.CaliforniaPsychics.com.

Here are our psychics predictions on who and what will make entertainment headlines in 2010. As always there will be new movies, books and television series, marriages, divorces, and a few big surprises!
...
"Larry King will be the first person to interview an extraterrestrial visitor on his talk show." - Lucrecia ext. 9326
...
"An overwhelmingly large show of support for the environment as well as politics will come from celebrities, many of whom will step out of their comfort zone, with the understanding that this is a crucial time to help motivate change in both arenas." - Jacqueline ext. 9472
...
Several psychics see a long, expensive divorce for Brangelina, and cite July as a turning point. "There will be rumors that Brad Pitt is sneaking around with another woman -- a blonde."
- Shauna ext. 9010

"Brad will eventually suffer a serious financial setback as the fight over the children becomes drawn out and complicated." - Alison

"Jennifer Aniston will become a mother." - Rondalafay

"Sarah Palin will continue to be much talked and gossiped about. She will be offered her own talk show in 2010, but it won't be successful." - Donna ext. 9448
...
Basketball star Shaquille O'Neal and television personality Ben Stein will star in a hilarious comedy together." - Lucrecia

Along another direction: Why is it that no psychic prediction can ever name some nobody who later becomes famous? It is always about names everybody knows already (and most of whom we could care less about). Who gives a flying pig about douchebag and douchiebag Spencer and Heidi Pratt? The family name is so accurate. Did even a single psychic prediction (of the billion spewings made) even mention Sarah Palin *before* she was added to the Republican ticket as VP?

California Psychics is one of the sponsors on KRTH ("K-Earth 101 Oldies" 101.1 MHz FM), out of Los Angeles. This station has a rep for serving a New-Age clientèle in their format. Too bad that K-Earth 101's credibility as a news source is suffering (at least among the people that I've discussed this with), and even the morning news staff of K-Earth 101 is more interested in trying to tell jokes and embarrass each other than in giving accurate news reports.

__________________

Belief is the subjective acceptance of a (valid or invalid) concept, opinion, or theory;

Are these the folks that advertise that their psychics "work out of the home" because they're more accurate when in their own comfortable setting? I keep thinking, Yeah, or maybe it's because then you don't have to pay for office space...or have anyplace where anyone can actually find you. It's like ALF or ELF - just this loose network of people with no real connnection to each other who are going to be really difficult to track down when things deteriorate...

I was interested in this claim as well...how do they determine that they are more accurate working out of their homes? What is the test/criterion? Could a Psyi working out of her home...pass the JR Challenge?

Also, why isn't this a claim that the FTC or the local authorities would be interested in...there is, of course, no way you can prove it, but it is to the quality of the service...isn't it false and misleading?

__________________Weaseling out of things is important to learn. It's what separates us from the animals ... except the weasel.